Luxury travel has evolved over the years and it’s becoming one of the fastest growing trends in travel, but most people still consider it to be financially out of reach.  Another misconception is that luxury means formal and stuffy, with visions of “steerage class” and the wide difference between “first class”.

Think Titanic, the movie and how the classes were separated by limiting access to certain areas.  If the idea of luxury travel brings visions of anything like this or thoughts a vacation exceeding the cost of a new car, think again.

Luxury is about comfort, about making things easier and letting someone else take care of the details.  Luxury is about indulging in something that you don’t have time for or access to on a regular basis.  A vacation is a time to step out of your world and into one that is part fantasy, part wishes and expansion, seeing new places and doing new things.
With time or lack of it being a common complaint, adding features into your vacation that gives you more time to relax and get the most out of your vacation is why luxury travel is becoming more popular.

When it comes to cruising, luxury isn’t a new concept.  What’s new is the appreciation of the value they offer and the experience they provide.  Most luxury cruises are all-inclusive or virtually all-inclusive and while you're initial out of pocket expense may be more, the total cost of the vacation from start to finish on a contemporary cruise start resembling the cost of a luxury one.

To take advantage of the growing interest and demand for luxury, contemporary lines are adding perks to go along with their premium suites that in the case of Royal Caribbean, don’t rival the luxury lines, they exceed them.  

One of the advantages we offer our clients is to look at ways to increase value and save money.  We look at the big picture and calculate the cost-plus value-plus any savings by booking a different promotion or room.

 
Luxury travel doesn’t mean the entire vacation has to be top of the line but adding luxury features to a vacation based on what each person wants, needs and values make a huge difference.  

Luxury-comfort shouldn’t be available to a limited group of people, everyone should be able to add a little luxury in their lives and we try to make that happen. 

We will be highlighting cruises and vacations that have added luxury features or upgrading the entire vacation to show how affordable and in reach for everyone, with a little creative planning and flexibility.  

Our first example is a Royal Caribbean cruise on the Oasis of the Seas in September.

The example is a family of 4 who wants to book the one-bedroom Grand Suite.  They purchase the beverage packages for the adults and the refreshment package for the kids.  They normally dine in the specialty restaurants at least 5 nights if not every night.

Their vacation looks like:

​

 $5430.36 total cost for the room including tax and fees
 $490        Tips for everyone    
 $910        Beverage package for the adults
 $430        Refreshment package for the kids-this is not the soda only package*
 $1080      5 nights specialty dining for 4 (average $45 per person per restaurant)
 $112        One account/device unlimited wifi package (more if purchased onboard)

​

​

Total Vacation cost including onboard expenses $8340